For Dr. Hemal Patel, watching patients get better and stronger is the most rewarding part of his work. Since graduating from Mercer University’s College of Health Professions in 2018, he has served as an in-patient physical therapist at Grady Health in Atlanta.
Dr. Patel earned his undergraduate degree in biology, with minors in business and health sciences, at Clayton State University. Toward the end of his studies there, he became interested in physical therapy after observing someone helping an injured player during a soccer game. This caused him to research this career field, and the reputation of Mercer’s Doctor of Physical Therapy program made it a natural choice for his education.
At Mercer, he gained the professionalism and skills to succeed and was exposed to the “full spectrum” of the physical therapy field through the University’s partnerships with area health care facilities. He said one of the highlights of his experience was serving as a teaching assistant for a class in Mercer’s physician assistant program, which gave him a better understanding of human anatomy.
Physical therapy professor Dr. Deborah M. Wendland was a source of support to Dr. Patel, and that connection led him to volunteer with Good Samaritan Health Center Atlanta. He gained experience interacting with patients, and nine years later, he continues to volunteer with the organization.
Dr. Patel was leaning toward a focus in outpatient physical therapy, but his final rotation in inpatient care at Grady changed his mind and landed him his first job. By the time he graduated, Grady had already interviewed him and offered him a position.
“Since graduating, I have had the privilege of working at Grady and gaining diverse experience across various specialties offered by this Level 1 trauma center,” he said. “These include the burn unit, orthopedic trauma floor, intensive care unit, neurology, outpatient physical therapy, wound care and Crestview Nursing home and rehab, a separate nursing home/rehabilitation facility, which is the largest of its kind in the state. Ultimately, I chose to focus my work as a senior therapist in the medicine and ICU step-down unit, where I continue to apply my skills to support patients in critical care.”
Dr. Patel primarily works with geriatric patients on the general medicine floors, but he also sees younger patients in the other units. As a trauma hospital, Grady handles a lot of cases involving trauma, spinal cord injury and brain injury.
He collaborates with physicians, case managers and social workers to decide on the best course of care for patients and spends time working with them.
“Our biggest thing is mobilizing the patient, getting them stronger, and getting them good enough to either go home or go to rehab,” Dr. Patel said.
He said the most fulfilling thing is seeing the “sheer delight” expressed by patients and their family members as they move and get stronger. He watched a 90-year-old become mobile after a broken leg and a young man walk again after suffering a gunshot wound. To be a part of a patient’s recovery journey is rewarding, he said.
Dr. Patel spends a lot of time educating patients’ families on what they can do to help their loved ones improve outside of the physical therapy sessions he provides.
“Empowering the family is a big thing,” he said. “Focus on what you can do in terms of mobility, no matter how small — wiggle your toes, move your ankle — that’s a positive step forward. Progress may not happen all at once; it’s not a quick fix, but starting with whatever you’re able to do is an important first step.”
In the future, Dr. Patel hopes to expand on his current work by earning a geriatric specialty certification.
Dr. Hemal Patel is among the Mercerians featured in Mercer Illustrated: The Places, People, and Experiences of a Uniquely Impactful University. This coffee table book from Mercer University Press can be ordered online. Mercer faculty, staff and students can receive a 40% discount when they order by phone at (478) 301-2880.
